About silver & stone
Nepali silver jewelry combines Tibetan, Newari, and Indian design influences into a distinctive style recognized and loved worldwide. Artisans in Patan and Thamel work sterling silver (92.5% pure) into rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants, often set with semi-precious stones that hold deep cultural significance — turquoise for sky and protection, coral for life force and vitality, lapis lazuli for wisdom, and amber for healing. Techniques include filigree (twisting fine silver wire into intricate patterns), repoussé (hammering designs from the reverse), granulation (soldering tiny silver balls into patterns), and stone setting. Each piece is made by hand, making every item slightly unique.
How they are made
The silversmith melts sterling silver ingots and rolls or draws the metal into sheets and wire. For filigree work, fine wire is hand-twisted and shaped into patterns, then soldered to a base. For repoussé, the silver sheet is placed on a pitch block and designs are hammered from the back. Stones are cut and polished separately, then set into bezels (metal frames) by carefully pushing the silver around the stone. Each completed piece is cleaned in an acid bath to remove oxidation, polished to a bright finish (or deliberately oxidized for an antique look), and quality-checked for stone security, clasp function, and finish consistency.